19-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Monday, September 7, 1914: A foolish girl I was today. Took it into my head that I wanted to go to town to buy some things this afternoon. Well I went. Rode in with Pa. While on the way I thought it will be altogether useless, as the store would not be open since it was Labor Day.
Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Labor Day? . . . Oh, of course, this was the first Monday in September in 1914. This year Labor Day was on the earliest possible date; in 1914 it was the latest possible date.
Stores are open around here on Labor Day. In 1914, it must have been a bigger deal if stores were closed– though it apparently was a bit random whether schools were open. In 1912, Grandma wrote:
Had to go to school, even if it is labor day. We had this day off last year. . .
A Hundred Years Ago 
And why was Pa going to town, I wonder?
I wondered the same thing. Was he also surprised that the stores were closed? . . . or did he go to town for some other purpose?
May some places were still open.
Gallivanta has a good point….perhaps some stores (relating to farming) were open…? But, I guess, in 1914, most stores were of the “general” type and sold everything! What’s the saying: from cradles to coffins?
I’ve definitely seen hundred-year-old advertisements for various types of stores (shoe, women’s clothing, etc.) in the nearby town of Milton. I can’t specifically remember ads for farm supply stores, but my guess is that Milton had some.
It was only 10 yrs earlier that congress pass a law enacting Labor Day.
Wow, it was a really new holiday! My sense is that there was a lot of interest in labor issues and unionization in the early 20th century in response to the terrible working conditions in some factories.
I’m never quite sure if it’s a day off “for labor”, or a day on for sales. 🙂
I don’t know about most people, but personally I skip the sales and enjoy the day off. 🙂
When I was a child, grocery stores and gas stations were open on Labor Day — but that was it. Even some of those closed. School never began until after Labor Day. It was a big celebration. And after Labor Day? We put the white dresses and playclothes back into the closet until the next Memorial Day!
And, I can remember also putting my white “Church” shoes away after Labor Day. 🙂
When I was a kid, stores were all closed on Labour Day and every other holiday. Now they’re open even on Christmas Day!
Diana xo
Stores aren’t open yet on Christmas in the US, but it’s probably coming. 🙂
I feel sorry for those who don’t get to spend Christmas with their family because they’re working… but I guess that happens in hotels and hospitals and such…
I remember when stores were closed on Sunday – how times have changed!!
I also remember when stores were closed on Sunday. Car dealers are still closed on Sunday here, but most other stores are open.
Remember when stores were closed on Sundays and closed at six o’clock the rest of the time? It does date me!
I have similar memories. I guess that dates me, too. 🙂
This prompted me to research (aka Google) when Labor Day was first recognized. 1882.
As another commented, it seems that stores are open most holidays these days.
It’s interesting how long Labor Day has been around.
That’s a disappointment for sure!
I agree–it had to have been a disappointment that the stores were closed.
Had no idea it would have been so widely observed back then!
I was similarly surprised the first year that Grandma mentioned Labor Day in the diary.
Sheryl, I’m going to steal that great line for lots and lots of times: ‘A foolish girl I was today!’ Brilliant.
It is a wonderful line!
Well, that’s interesting to think of store hours being so much different back then. I hope your Grandma enjoyed the journey even so.
I think more stores were owned by proprietors. Maybe they felt less need to be open on holidays than today’s chain stores.